Beer, witches and pizza rats: 14 photos from last week’s #instabeerupCLT
Did you find this article after reading about it on Instagram? Twitter? Then chances are you already know about #instabeerupclt, the social brainchild of Corri Smith and Amy Herman.
Social media savvy Charlotteans meet up at a local watering hole once a month to catch up face to face and get to know new people. After more than a year, the gathering has grown from a few dozen to a few hundred people in attendance — all enjoying Charlotte’s local craft beer scene.
Were you spotted at the most recent Halloween-themed #instabeerup at Wooden Robot Brewery between 6 and 7 p.m.?
Two people dressed up in characteristic goth Corri Smith attire, with subtle costume details like mimicking Corri’s actual tattoos and toting along a Beanie Baby named after her dog. It was the finest form of flattery in full force.
The large crowd and small microbrewery requires attendees to get extra friendly in the tight spaces. The beer cures any social anxiety this might cause.
Nametags are a must. Don’t remember someone from the last time you met? (It happens.) Don’t worry, a quick glance is all it takes to assuage the uncertainty.
More than likely, though, this is where you’ll meet your new best drinking buddy or business partner … or LIFE partner.
The brewery staff got into the spirit too. Bartenders and brewers wafted through the malty air to pour cold beverages and mingle with the crowd. Barriers are always broken when the goal is social interaction.
Herman, left, (dressed as Smith) and Smith (dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West) started #instabeerup to meet new people. It’s unlikely they knew how popular and influential the event would become, inspiring other community events like Garrett Tichy’s #WeLoveCLT speaker series.
Celebrity and animal costumes earned bonus points. Internet sensation Pizza Rat — worn by Cece Stronach, left, and Ali Washburn — took home the prize for best costume, winning a headless skeleton trophy.
Using hashtags (even tattooed ones), taking selfies like the entire cast of The Wizard of Oz did or using any other form of social media is highly encouraged.
There is only one #instabeerupclt left before 2016, so when you see it pop up in your news feed, makes sure you click the attend button.
It’s worth going for the occasionally free — and always delicious — beer alone.
Photos: Rémy Thurston
This story was originally published November 1, 2015 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Beer, witches and pizza rats: 14 photos from last week’s #instabeerupCLT."